Birdsboro mayor takes grocery store effort to the streets

BIRDSBORO — Mayor Robert M. Myers is very serious about getting a grocery store back in this community of 5,200 residents.

And while there is still a long way to go, Myers has gotten some results — with the help of more than 1,300 residents who have signed a petition.

So far, representatives from what Myers called a “full service, regional chain” have made three separate site visits to the borough to look at the property on Chestnut Street, the site of the former Birdsboro Market, which closed in 2011. The most recent visit was just this week.

And while the name of the chain is not being shared at this point, Myers said he remains optimistic about the project.

“We’re hopeful that within the next month, decisions will be made,” he said. “If this current prospect pulls out, and the wheels fall off, I’ll go out and get more signatures. I’ll approach someone else — I’m not giving up until I get another food store (in Birdsboro).”

Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhart; Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Berks County Kenneth Pick; a representative from state Sen. Judith Schwank’s office; Borough Manager Aaron Durso and several members of Birdsboro council have gone along on at least one of the site visits.

“We went along to look at the site and then to talk about any federal state or local funds that could help if and when there is a project,” said Pick, acknowledging that it is very early in the process and no specifics could be discussed until, and if, a proposal comes forward. “That is the role of the redevelopment authority, to come in and assist where and when we can. I don’t know if we can help, but we’re there if we can.”

How did it get to the point where grocery store executives are visiting Birdsboro? Myers took his efforts to the streets in the form of a petition, and residents have spoken up.

The petition, directed at grocery store management, states that residents are “tired of having to travel long distances to out of town sites in order to shop for groceries and related items,” and pledging if they locate a clean, modern store in Birdsboro and “you offer a wide variety of high quality goods at fair and competitive prices and you staff your facility with friendly, helpful, locally hired associates, I will become one of your loyal customer.”

The closest supermarkets for Birdsboro residents are located in Douglassville and Exeter.

Myers said he started going door-to-door in the borough in January and placed the petition at various locations around town.

“Only two people refused, and one of them said they wouldn’t sign, but that if there was a food store, they would shop there. I am totally awestruck by the response,” he added. He recounted how he approached one residence that had a sign on the door that said “No salesmen, no politicians, no kidding,” but he knocked on the door anyway. “The resident saw me with my clipboard and said, ‘can’t you read?’ But they signed the petition.”

If the project comes to pass, and a grocery store is located in the borough, there is the potential for as many as 80 jobs, along with the convenience of being able to shop close to home. Myers said the prospect of that many jobs — even if some are transplanted in — plus additional dollars becoming part of the tax base, is a “win-win for the community.”

“It (the project) meets a very basic need; the need for being able to get food conveniently,” Myers added. “But above and beyond, this is one of a series of major steps toward revitalization of the borough; the bridges being another of them. When the Schuylkill River bridge is completed all three of our bridges will be virtually brand new. These are all dominoes that are falling that ultimately will result in the revitalization of a great community.”

Myers said he actually began his effort when the Birdsboro Market closed in 2011, writing letters to several grocery store chains, asking them to look at Birdsboro as a potential location, but getting limited response.

Once the petition drive began to yield results, Myers again reached out to several chains. One of them expressed interest, saying they had already been looking at Birdsboro. Myers provided them with copies of the petition.

Myers added that at the most recent site visit; there was some discussion of financing options, including state and county, as well as private investors that have expressed interest. He added that the food store chain indicated they are in the process of conducting a market survey. Another meeting will take place within a couple of weeks, although Myers did not yet have a date for that meeting.

In addition to looking at the site on Chestnut Street, the representatives looked at other properties in the borough where they might build a market. According to Myers, the current location is too small, would require renovation and expansion.

“My strong conviction of the huge unmet demand for a food market here in town seems to be verified on a daily basis,” Myers said, noting that drivers will stop their vehicles in traffic when he’s out walking — asking to sign the petition.

Myers updated Birdsboro Borough Council about the project at its May 8 meeting.